A demographic perspective on human wellbeing: Concepts, measurement and population heterogeneity

This introduction to the 2021 special issue of the Vienna Yearbook of Population Research explores demographic perspectives on human wellbeing across time and space. While the idea of relating demographic parameters to wellbeing has been around for a while, a more concrete research agenda on this topic has only recently gained momentum. Reviewing the research presented in this volume, we show how existing theoretical concepts and methodological tools in demography can be used to make substantial advances in the study of wellbeing. We also touch upon the many challenges researchers face in defining and measuring wellbeing, with the most important debate being about whether the focus should be on objective or subjective measures. The studies discussed here define wellbeing as health and mortality; as income, education or other resources; as happiness or life satisfaction; or as a combination thereof. They cover wellbeing in historical and contemporary populations in high- and low-income countries, and also point out important barriers to research on wellbeing, including the lack of good quality data in many regions. Finally, we highlight the value of considering population heterogeneities when studying wellbeing in order to identify population subgroups who are likely to fall behind, which can have important policy implications.

The Effect of X-ray Energy Overlaps on the Microanalysis of Chevkinite (Ce, La, Ca, Th)4(Fe2+, Mg)2(Ti, Fe3+)3Si4O22 Using SEM EDS-WDS

A light REE (LREE)-bearing mineral called chevkinite (Ce, La, Ca, Th)4(Fe2+, Mg)2(Ti, Fe3+)3Si4O22, originating from a heavy metal placer deposit Aksu Diamas in Turkey, previously assessed for potential REE extraction as a by-product of magnetite production, was studied using scanning electron microscopy with energy and wavelength-dispersive spectrometers (SEM EDS-WDS). This mineral exhibits analytical challenges associated with severe X-ray energy overlaps between the REE, titanium, and barium. Here, we present an iterative process, showing that SEM EDS-WDS is a viable technique for obtaining good quality quantitative data. SEM EDS-WDS is an in situ, non-destructive, and relatively non-expensive technique, but operator’s experience is essential to obtain good quality data. In cases where the peak fitting remains challenging, in particular, and where the constituents have large differences in abundance, an assessment of the X-ray spectrum to qualitatively assign all peaks is essential prior to quantitative analysis.

An in-depth statistical analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic’s initial spread in the WHO African region

ObjectiveTo quantify the initial spread of COVID-19 in the WHO African region, and to investigate the possible drivers responsible for variation in the epidemic among member states.DesignA cross-sectional study.SettingCOVID-19 daily case and death data from the initial case through 29 November 2020.Participants46 countries comprising the WHO African region.Main outcome measuresWe used five pandemic response indicators for each country: speed at which the pandemic reached the country, speed at which the first 50 cases accumulated, maximum monthly attack rate, cumulative attack rate, and crude case fatality ratio (CFR). We studied the effect of 13 predictor variables on the country-level variation in them using a principal component analysis, followed by regression.ResultsCountries with higher tourism activities, GDP per capita, and proportion of older people had higher monthly (p < 0.001) and cumulative attack rates (p < 0.001) and lower CFRs (p = 0.052). Countries having more stringent early COVID-19 response policies experienced greater delay in arrival of the first case (p < 0.001). The speed at which the first 50 cases occurred was slower in countries whose neighbors had higher cumulative attack rates (p = 0.06).ConclusionsWhile global connectivity and tourism could facilitate the spread of airborne infectious agents, the observed differences in attack rates between African countries might also be due to differences in testing capacities or age distribution. Wealthy countries managed to minimize adverse outcomes. Further, careful and early implementation of strict government policies, such as restricting tourism, could be pivotal to controlling the COVID-19 pandemic. Evidently, good quality data and sufficient testing capacities are essential to unravel the epidemiology of an outbreak. We thus urge decision-makers to reduce these barriers to ensure rapid responses to future threats to public health and economic stability.Summary BoxWhat is already known on this topicThe diversity in the COVID-19 trajectories across Africa.The heterogeneity in the reporting and testing capacities among countries.What this study addsThe heterogeneities in the attack rates during the first wave of COVID-19 in Africa could have emerged due to tourism and connectivity, the variations in age distribution, and the testing facilities between nations. Although richer countries, having a higher fraction of older people and more tourism activities, documented higher attack rates, they succeeded in reducing mortalities.African countries that had more stringent early COVID-19 response policies managed to delay the onset of the outbreak at the national level. Moreover, the speed at which the first 50 cases occurred was slower in nations whose neighbors had higher cumulative attack rates.Good quality data and timely reporting are essential in understanding and controlling a public health crisis.

Conducting Research on Muslims

The aim of the special section in this issue is to identify and examine methodological opportunities for conducting research on Muslims, while also noting challenges and uncertainties. The focus is on methodological and ethical challenges encountered while conducting both qualitative and quantitative research in increasingly unstable socio-political environments. The section examines how researchers address such challenges, and brings together scholars whose research involves studying aspects of Muslim politics from various disciplinary backgrounds. The objective is to identify ethical and practical challenges involved in studying Islam, share insights and experiences of researchers from the Middle East and North Africa, and develop improved techniques to collect good quality data from Muslim groups and societies. The overall aim is arrive at a better understanding of the ethics, politics, and responsibilities involved in studying Islam and Muslims in our age: one characterized by a defiant and resurgent faith.

The fermented soy beverage Q-CAN® plus induces beneficial changes in the oral and intestinal microbiome

Background Soy products are associated with many beneficial health consequences, but their effects on the human intestinal microbiome are poorly characterized. Objectives To identify the changes in the oral and fecal microbiome in lean and obese participants due to consumption of Q-CAN®, and to assess the expected consequences of these changes based on the published literature. Methods Prospective study of lean (10) and obese (9) participants consuming Q-CAN® twice daily for 4 weeks with 8 weeks follow-up. Microbial DNA was extracted from saliva and stool samples, amplified against the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and data analyzed using QIIME 1.9.1 bioinformatics. Four hundred forty-four samples were collected in total, 424 of which were productive and yielded good quality data. Results STOOL. In the lean population Bifidobacteria and Blautia show a significant increase while taking Q-CAN®, and there was a trend for this in the obese population. ORAL. There were relatively fewer major changes in the oral microbiome with an increase in the family Veillonellaceae in the lean population while on Q-CAN®. Conclusion Q-CAN® consumption induced a number of significant changes in the fecal and oral microbiome. Most notably an increase in the stool microbiome of Bifidobacteria and Blautia, both of which are associated with positive health benefits, and in the saliva an increase in Veillonellaceae. Trial registration This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov on January 14th 2016. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02656056

Aerosol Assimilation of lidar data from Satellite (AEOLUS) and Ground-based (EARLINET) instruments in COMPO-IFS.

&lt;p&gt;Since several years, the number of aerosol data coming from lidar has grown and improved in quality. These new datasets are providing a valuable information on the vertical distribution of aerosols which is missing in the AOD (Aerosol Optical Depth), which has been used so far in aerosols analysis. The launch of AEOLUS in 2018 has increased the interest in the assimilation of the aerosol lidar information. In parallel, the ground-based network EARLINET (European Aerosol Research LIdar NETwork) has grown to cover the Europe with good quality data. Assimilation of these data in the ECMWF/CAMS (European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts / Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service) system is expected to provide improvements in the aerosol analyses and forecasts.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;Three preliminary studies have been done in the past four years using AEOLUS data (A3S-ESA funded) and EARLINET data (ACTRIS-2 and EUNADIC-AV, EU-funded). These studies have allowed the full development of the tangent linear and adjoint code for lidar backscatter in the ECMWF's 4D-VAR system. These developments are now in the operational model version in research mode. The first results are promising and open the path to more intake of aerosol lidar data for assimilation purposes. The future launch of EARTHCARE (Earth-Cloud Aerosol and Radiation Explorer) and later ACCP (Aerosol Cloud, Convention and Precipitation) might even upgrade the use of aerosol lidar data in COMPO-IFS (Composition-Integrated Forecast system).&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;The most recent results using AEOLUS data (for October 2019 and April 2020) and using EARLINET data (October 2020) will be shown in this presentation. The output will be compared to the CAMS operational aerosol forecast as well as to independent data from AERONET (AErosol Robotic NETwork).&lt;/p&gt;

Thermodynamics of Adsorption of Alcohol Dehydrogenase on Gold Nanoparticle Surface: A Model Based Analysis Versus Direct Measurement

Characterization of nanoparticle protein corona has gained tremendous importance lately. The parameters which quantitatively establish a specific nanoparticle-protein interaction need to be measured accurately since good quality data is necessary...

EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF ACUTE ABDOMINAL PAIN

Background: Acute abdominal pain is a public problem in the outpatient setting and can represent conditions ranging from benign to life-threatening. The patient history, physical examination, laboratory testing, and diagnostic imaging are the major evaluation methods for acute abdominal pain. There was not sufficient good-quality data for the management of acute abdominal pain, where it relies on the knowledge and expertise of the doctors. A web-based search utilizing the advanced characteristics of different databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane electronic databases was carried out. Here we aimed to review the major evaluation methods for acute abdominal pain and its management protocols. Keywords: Acute, Abdominal, Pain, Evaluation, Management, Review

The Fermented Soy Beverage Q-CAN® Plus Induces Beneficial Changes in the Oral and Intestinal Microbiome

Background: Soy products are associated with many beneficial health consequences, but their effects on the human intestinal microbiome are poorly characterized. Objectives: To identify the changes in the oral and fecal microbiome in lean and obese participants due to consumption of Q-CAN®, and to assess the expected consequences of these changes based on the published literature. Methods: Prospective study of lean (10) and obese (9) participants consuming Q-CAN® twice daily for 4 weeks with 8 weeks follow-up. Microbial DNA was extracted from saliva and stool samples, amplified against the V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene and data analyzed using QIIME 1.9.1 bioinformatics. 440 samples were collected in total, 424 of which were productive and yielded good quality data. Results: STOOL. In the lean population Bifidobacteria and Blautia show a significant increase while taking Q-CAN®, and there was a trend for this in the obese population. ORAL. There were relatively fewer major changes in the oral microbiome with an increase in the family Veillonellaceae in the lean population while on Q-CAN®. Conclusion: Q-CAN® consumption induced a number of significant changes in the fecal and oral microbiome. Most notably an increase in the stool microbiome of Bifidobacteria and Blautia, both of which are associated with positive health benefits, and in the saliva an increase in Veillonellaceae. Trial registration: This trial was registered with Clinicaltrials.gov on January 14th 2016. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02656056

Implementation and Evaluation of Open-Source Hardware to Monitor Water Quality in Precision Aquaculture

Precision aquaculture is a new field that allows farmers to have better control over aquaculture processes, facilitating decision-making and improving efficiency. The implementation and evaluation of a low-cost water-quality monitoring system based on open-source hardware, which is easy to rebuild for scientific applications, is reported in this paper. The proposed system measures temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH, taking records and sending information through a wireless protocol (ZigBee) to a graphical user interface which can display information numerically and graphically, as well as simultaneously storing the information in a database. These variables are very important for aquaculture, as they have a direct influence on critical culture parameters such as growth and survival. Although it is a low-cost system, it offers good quality data and demonstrates efficiency for its use in precision aquaculture.